title: The transformation of pityriasis lichenoides chronica into parakeratosis variegata in an 11-year-old girl.
abstract: Parakeratosis variegata is a rare disorder with unknown aetiology. In a few cases it arises from benign skin diseases such as pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (Mucha Habermann disease) or pityriasis lichenoides chronica. However, transformation into malignant diseases such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma has been observed. We report an 11-year-old girl with a 10-year history of pityriasis lichenoides chronica now presenting with parakeratosis variegata. Analysis of skin infiltrating T cells showed clonally rearranged T-cell receptor gamma chains occurring with a frequency of more than 2%. This finding is compatible with the clinical observation of parakeratosis variegata transforming into a malignant T-cell disorder. We therefore suggest that patients suffering from parakeratosis variegata and other diseases such as pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta or pityriasis lichenoides chronica should be continuously monitored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Frankfurt Medical School, Germany.
authors.forename: U M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Niemczyk
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Zollner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Staib
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007223:Infant; D010267:Parapsoriasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D017514:Pityriasis Lichenoides / Q000473:pathology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta